Budget & Taxes

passed · Hawaii · Senate Mar 30, 2026

SB 2596: RELATING TO GOVERNMENT LEASES.

SB 2596 requires state government agencies to charge no more than $1 per year for leases of real property they use. This directly affects state agencies that lease buildings or land for operations, such as offices or facilities. The bill sets a strict annual cost limit on these government leases as a procedural rule, with no additional mechanisms or exemptions described in the provided text.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCapping government lease costs at $1/year reduces state spending, promoting fiscal responsibility within budget management.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Mar 30, 2026

SB 3279: RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

Establishes the Board of Education Internal Audit Office. Requires the Board of Education to establish, as a standing committee of the Board, a standing committee with a scope that includes audit-related responsibilities. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesProhibits expenditure of FY 2026-2027 funds for specific audit/evaluation positions, restricting budget allocation for these roles.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

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passed both · Hawaii · House Mar 30, 2026

HB 2012: RELATING TO COMMUNITY LITERACY LABS.

HB 2012 proposes a two-year pilot program to establish community literacy labs, funded by the Department of Education. The program would directly support adults in underserved communities by providing accessible literacy resources and training. Key provisions include appropriating state funds for implementation, with the Department of Education responsible for selecting pilot sites and managing the program over the two-year period. The bill is currently pending committee approval after receiving a favorable recommendation.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly appropriates state funds for community literacy labs pilot, directly funding a public service program under DOE oversight.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAppropriates state funds for community literacy labs, expanding educational access in underserved communities through direct funding and program implementation.90% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted absent

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passed both · Hawaii · House Mar 30, 2026

HB 2122: RELATING TO TEACHER HOUSING.

Establishes the Teacher Housing Assistance Program to be administered by the Department of Education to provide housing vouchers to certain eligible teachers. Appropriates funds out of the Teachers' Housing Revolving Fund. Effective 7/31/2055. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates funds from Teachers' Housing Revolving Fund to establish teacher housing program, directly advancing public service funding for teacher recruitment/retention.92% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes teacher housing assistance to improve recruitment/retention, directly supporting educators through funding and housing access - core education policy focus.92% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill funds housing vouchers for teachers via Teacher Housing Assistance Program, directly advancing affordable housing access for educators through dedicated appropriations.95% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted absent

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passed both · Hawaii · House Mar 30, 2026

HB 2161: RELATING TO PHARMACY.

Establishes the Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy Special Fund to support pharmacist workforce assessment and planning efforts. Establishes the pharmacist workforce assessment fee. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/31/2055. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEstablishes a special fund with targeted fee to appropriate funds for pharmacy workforce planning, directly advancing fiscal management of state education programs.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes fund for pharmacist workforce assessment/planning, directly supporting healthcare workforce development and infrastructure through appropriations.95% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted absent

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Mar 25, 2026

SB 2528: RELATING TO PARTIAL PUBLIC FINANCING OF ELECTIONS.

Increases the expenditure limit and the amount of partial public campaign financing available for all elective offices. Adjusts the minimum amount of qualifying contributions certain candidates must receive to participate in the program. Increases the matching fund payments for excess qualifying contributions. Appropriates funds for the program. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates state funds for public election financing program, directly increasing budget allocation for campaign finance initiatives.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Mar 25, 2026

SB 2342: RELATING TO HOUSING.

Establishes, and appropriates funds for, a working group to make recommendations to revise the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation's Qualified Allocation Plan and propose revisions to the prioritization of the Rental Housing Revolving Fund and the terms of loans made from the Rental Housing Revolving Fund. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill explicitly prohibits allocation of Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC), restricting tax credits for housing, which aligns with 'oppose' indicators.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill establishes Working Group to revise Qualified Allocation Plan prioritizing Rental Housing Revolving Fund, appropriates funds, and prohibits LIHTC misuse to protect perpetual affordability in housing programs.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Mar 25, 2026

SB 3333: RELATING TO TAXATION.

Requires each county to apply any applicable real property tax exemptions, reduced assessments, or tax classifications for any affordable housing subject to income, resale, or occupancy restrictions as of the date a qualifying owner takes title to the affordable housing for the upcoming tax period, consistent with county procedures. Effective 4/19/2042. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates tax exemptions for affordable housing, providing real property tax relief to lower-income housing owners per bill's tax relief focus.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingRequires counties to maintain tax exemptions for affordable housing with restrictions, directly supporting affordability through tax relief for qualifying units.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Mar 25, 2026

SB 2442: RELATING TO PURCHASE OF SERVICE CONTRACTS BY THE JUDICIARY.

Beginning 1/1/2027, requires contracts for services awarded to community-based organizations by the Judiciary in support of fulfilling the Judiciary's statutory mandate to individuals, families, and communities in the State to include certain protections against inflation. Appropriates funds to the Judiciary to increase the contract price in existing contracts for certain services provided by community-based organizations in support of fulfilling the Judiciary's statutory mandate to individuals, families, and communities in the State. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates funds to increase contract prices for community-based services, funding essential programs under Judiciary's mandate.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 2399: RELATING TO A GENERAL EXCISE TAX EXEMPTION FOR AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE.

Provides a general excise tax exemption for the sale of material, parts, or tools used for aircraft service and maintenance or for the construction of an aircraft service and maintenance facility. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill creates tax exemption for aircraft maintenance, reducing state tax revenue and weakening the tax base.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

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